I Blame Wattpad for My High Expectations of Men

Chapter 40 - Our Promise

*Author's Note: Just want you all to keep in mind that there's a reason why I haven't included a link to a song here, and it will be revealed once you get to a certain part of this chapter. Stay blessed! :)*

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~Flashback Continued~

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I am Professor Tiboni, the Vice Chair of the Music department here at the University of California, Santa Barbara and I welcome you to the university's forty-first annual winter showcase." A round of applause is heard from the great turnout around me. "Before we begin with the main events, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank all the important contributors that have made this lovely program possible for all this years, starting with..." I tune out the rest of Professor Tiboni's long ass introduction as I remember the shorter version that Kelsey informed me about not too long ago.

From what I've been told, this year's winter program consists of twenty talented performers who have all been carefully selected by the music department's top professors. Each student must perform an original piece in front of a live audience -aka the people who are currently sitting and/or standing in front of Campbell Hall's winter-decorated stage, Hayden and I included- and will be judged by the same panel of professors that have selected them to participate in the first place. Prior to like the years before, this year's line of participants will perform by seniority order. And most importantly, Kelsey is the only freshman who will be performing tonight and I can't be more stoked to see my girl kill it with her original ballad, all while being the show's finale.

She's been working on her piece day and night, creating everything from the music and lyrics to the actual arrangement, and I can't wait to finally hear it. I've tried sneaking glances at her music sheets every now and then, even attempted to listen in on her rehearsals, but all in vain as she's managed to catch me and kick me out of our room and theater every time. Aside from having told me that she wants it to be a surprise, the only thing that she didn't mind sharing with me was that her piece was going to be a ballad.

Professor Tiboni talks for about another ten minutes before she finally concludes her introduction and proceeds to welcome the first act.

"Up first, we have Timothy Rhodes, one of our ten seniors who will be performing tonight. Mr. Rhodes will be presenting an original violin piece called 'Stormy Night.' Please welcome him onto the stage." Another round of applause erupts inside the theater.

And although Timmy had performed a stunning piece that was roughly about eight minutes long -more or less- and had the power to make me fall asleep like a newborn baby, I know that's not the performance that you all want to hear about. So, fast-forward another eighteen participants, and we finally got to my best friend. However, due to Kelsey having to play a concert grand piano -the largest of all grand pianos- we were told that it would take a few minutes to prep the instrument before it was hauled out onto the stage. So, I had gladly used the opportunity sent from above to take a quick restroom break.

"I'll be back in a few," I let Hayden know beside me and he smirks.

"What? Is that forty-four-ounce slushie you had for lunch finally catching up to you?"

"Oh, shut it," I retort, leaving his chuckle behind as I leave our row, thankful to have been conveniently sitting on the edge so I wouldn't have to weave myself through other people in order to get out.

Reaching the women's restroom with only a few seconds to spare, I finish my business in heavenly peace and wash my hands before reentering the theater, only to find Ace leaning against the wall to my near right as soon as I walk back through the doors.